Fighting Fraud in Afghan Elections

North Korea Frees Worker From South

North Korea freed a South Korean worker it had been holding for more than four months, another sign Pyongyang is looking to restart talks.

Clinton Stands By Liberia's Leader

The U.S. Secretary of State offered unqualified backing for Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who is under scrutiny for an alleged role in the country's years of turmoil.

• Earlier: U.S. Urges Overhaul of Nigeria Elections
• Photos: Clinton's Africa Trip

Blast at Cafe Kills at Least 17 in Iraq

A double suicide bombing struck a café packed with young people in Iraq, killing at least 17 people in the latest attack on a minority community.

Taliban, Foes Clash in Pakistan

Taliban fighters attacked rival militants backed by the government in Pakistan's tribal areas, sparking clashes that officials and tribal elders said left dozens dead.

• Interactive: Regional Violence

India Plans Focus on Environment

India established one of the world's largest forest-protection funds and plans to set up a regulatory body modeled on the U.S. EPA.

Taiwan Seeks Foreign Aid in Rescue

Taiwan appealed for international assistance as its military struggled to rescue desperate villagers still stranded five days after a typhoon.

• Outcry Rises as Typhoon Toll Grows
• Photos: Rescue Efforts

Lockerbie Bomber Could Be Freed

The Scottish government is considering whether to allow the former Libyan agent convicted of the U.K.'s deadliest terror attack to be released from prison and return home.

• Video: Scotland Weighs Fate of Bomber

Minister: China Web Filter Optional

China's industry minister said installation of Internet filtering software on personal computers was always meant to be done on a voluntary basis by individuals.

• Digits: China Cracks Down on Sexting

Geologist Killed in Kenya Mine Dispute

Assailants armed with arrows, spears and machetes killed a Scottish-born geologist in an apparent dispute over mining rights in southeast Kenya.

Yemen Escalates Assault on Rebels

Yemeni government forces used artillery and aircraft to attack Shiite rebels near the border with Saudi Arabia in an escalation of the five-year-old conflict.

Typhoon Disrupts Internet Traffic

Undersea landslides from Typhoon Morakat have been blamed for disruption to Internet and voice call connectivity disruptions in Asia.

Clashes Kill 43 in Southern Philippines

Philippine troops suffered some of their worst losses in an offensive against al-Qaeda-linked militants on a southern island in which at least 23 soldiers and 20 guerrillas were killed.

Russia Pledges Aid to Abkhazia

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Russia will spend at least $465 million next year to build military bases in Abkhazia and tighten the borders of the separatist Georgian region.

Ga. Man Convicted of Aiding Terrorists

A Georgia man was convicted of aiding terrorist groups by sending videotapes of U.S. landmarks overseas.

Quake Hits Japan, No Damage Reported

A magnitude-6.5 earthquake hit off Japan's eastern coast early Thursday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Australia Rejects Greenhouse Gas Curbs

Australia's Senate has voted down government legislation that would have curbed the amount of greenhouse gas pollution that the country emits.

• Earlier: Australian Climate Bill Tests Premier

Russia Hunts for Lost Ship

The Arctic Sea, a Maltese-flagged cargo ship, first reported it had been attacked in waters off Sweden. Then it sailed with no apparent problems through the busy English Channel. And then it disappeared.

Egypt Casts Doubt on Russian Wheat

A criminal investigation into a shipment of Russian wheat in Egypt is having ripple effects across the world's wheat market.

Chinese Arrests Throw Firms Off Balance

Foreign businesses in China are taking steps to protect themselves after the arrest of four Rio Tinto employees renews questions about the cost of overstepping the line there.